Model Airplane International - June 2018

36 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2018

SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE

KIT BUILD

to paint my markings where I can and if you

fancy trying it, Luftwaffe schemes are an ideal

way to try them out. My method is to paint the

light colours fi rst so the white was laid down

before placing the appropriate masks. The

nose chequers were measured,

masks cut out from Tamiya

tape, added to the nose,

removed, re-measured,

re-cut out and then

re-applied. With that

done, the yellow was

applied and as the

rudders weren’t glued

on, no masking for

the A-3 was required.

Now the black parts of the

markings were sprayed and

then masked. Normally I do this

after the camoufl age but wanted to try it out

this time but despite my best efforts the black

did affect the RLM 76 a tiny bit so I’ll go back

to my usual method next time.

Now to the camoufl age. The JG. 1 aircraft

was straightforward with RLM 76 from Mr.

Hobby laid down, lightened with white, then

highlights and fading added before a hint

(and I mean the merest hint) of black so

darkened areas could further break up the

monotone. I don’t use black basing thing

as I think it just looks like a transparent top

coat, preferring the control and overall effect

of post-shading. Note its also not a marbled

effect as aeroplanes rarely weather like this, I

add the effects in larger, 'cloudier' areas and

along some, not all panel lines. It’s what I call

'logical randomness'. The upper surfaces were

fi nished using the same method but this time

using Mr Paint with freehand demarcations, a

few drops of Mr. Color Rapid Thinner helping

with the mottling.

The late-war aeroplane was a bit of a

conundrum. I came across a profi le of an A-3

from late in the war in RLM 76, 82, 83 on an

old Cutting Edge decal sheet. I couldn’t fi nd

any information or photos anywhere, so trusted

Base-coat complete

on the A-3, next

up is the late-war

overspray.

to paint my markings where I can and if you

fancy trying it, Luftwaffe schemes are an ideal

way to try them out. My method is to paint the

light colours fi rst so the white was laid down

before placing the appropriate masks. The

nose chequers were measured,

masks cut out from Tamiya

tape, added to the nose,

removed, re-measured,

re-cut out and then

re-applied. With that

done, the yellow was

applied and as the

rudders weren’t glued

on, no masking for

the A-3 was required.

effect as aeroplanes rarely weather like this, I

add the effects in larger, 'cloudier' areas and

along some, not all panel lines. It’s what I call

'logical randomness'. The upper surfaces were

fi nished using the same method but this time

using Mr Paint with freehand demarcations, a

few drops of Mr. Color Rapid Thinner helping

with the mottling.

after the camoufl age but wanted to try it out

this time but despite my best efforts the black

did affect the RLM 76 a tiny bit so I’ll go back

Now to the camoufl age. The JG. 1 aircraft

was straightforward with RLM 76 from Mr.

Hobby laid down, lightened with white, then

highlights and fading added before a hint

(and I mean the merest hint) of black so

darkened areas could further break up the

monotone. I don’t use black basing thing

as I think it just looks like a transparent top

coat, preferring the control and overall effect

of post-shading. Note its also not a marbled

The late-war aeroplane was a bit of a

conundrum. I came across a profi le of an A-3

from late in the war in RLM 76, 82, 83 on an

old Cutting Edge decal sheet. I couldn’t fi nd

any information or photos anywhere, so trusted

with the mottling.

The late-war aeroplane was a bit of a

conundrum. I came across a profi le of an A-3

from late in the war in RLM 76, 82, 83 on an

old Cutting Edge decal sheet. I couldn’t fi nd

any information or photos anywhere, so trusted

RLM 82 can look a bit garish like this but will look better

when the darker RLM 83 goes down.

Final weathering and the

matt coat will blend the paint

scheme and create a nice

scale appearance.

Fading the base coat as I go

along is the main aspect

of my weathering.

Here the greens are

lightened with white,

note that it is subtle

and the effect is

built up as I go

along.

Mr. Neo masking fl uid had

been applied with a

sponge over the RLM

74/75 base coat as

I assumed this was

a fi eld paint job

and would wear

through.

ROTTE LOVELY COLLECTION.indd 28 04/05/2018 15:01